Boston MA vs Salt Lake City UT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Boston
47.8%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 203,888 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 15.4% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 21.5% | 2.7% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 5.3% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
Salt Lake City
50.9%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $74,925 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $49,642 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $60,713 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 50.9% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $580,126 | Salt Lake City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 46.8% | Salt Lake City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Boston, MA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1931 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Boston +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 29.5% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.2% | Boston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 12.3% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Boston +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | 52.8°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while salt Lake City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,126. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Boston. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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